OCR Text |
Show ITEMS ; INTEREST. How a Child Ministered to an Actress' t Wants and the Eesult A Eo-mantio Eo-mantio Story. . MISSDAVENPOBT'S STBAWBEEEIES ; An Oregon Letter Disparages the Beauty of the Willianiette Biver -Other Notes and News. ( New York, Sept. 0. Queer things happen in tho lives of "profossionals.'" Some years ago when Fanny Davenport was playing in Denver she was feeling rat.her poorly, and on frequent occasions expressed a desire for some delicacies in the way of fruits, which wore hard to obtain in tho city at that season of the year. Before the matinee she decided to walk to tho theatre with her maid, the day being fine, and as usual there was a largo crowd gathered near tho stage door men, women and children, all anxious to catch a glimpse of the ' famous actress. , "Minnie," said she to her attendant, "I'd give most anything for a dish of fresh strawberries. My husband has . searched tho city over, but failed to find : any in market." And so talking mistress and maid en-tr-rnd the theatre, not observing the sharp eyes of a little ragged girl who had overiieard every word. Tlio next day as Miss Davenport sat eating her breakfast at tho fashionable hotel a faint knock sounded at the door. "Come in," paid her husband, looking up from his nowspaper. "If yor plu.se, ma'am," and a diminutive diminu-tive creaturo in plaid dress and faded hood stood in tho open doorway; "air ycr Miss Fanny Divenport who plays on do stage?" ' "I have that honor. Come in, my dear." And tho child advanced timidly, ' holding in her hand n small basket. "Yisterday I heard yer say yer like some strawborries, so I walked down to Miles orchard and picked them for yer." "Oh. you dear child," and the lady's ' eyes sparkled as she gazed at the tempt-' tempt-' ing ripo fruit. "How kind in yon." i Then, turning to her husband, added, "Give her a dollar for the berries." - Bat the little girl drew back with a . painful flush. "Oh, no I I didn't want money" "But you must be paid for this unexpected unex-pected treat. What can I do for you?" "If you please, ma'am, an', yer don't moino, I'd like ter see the show ter night." "Why, to Ijo sure; and wouldn't your . mamma liko to come also? Present this card at the box office and you'll receive two seats." ... ; "Axin' yer pardon, but my ma told ' me to ax for eleven, and thin there's ' uncle an' Billy" "Eleven!" gasped Miss Davenport in dismay. "Why, that's worse than an orphan asylum!" "The honso has been entirely sold," " said her husband; "all except tho loft lower box." "I'd I'd liko tor see yer show awfully much," ventures the girl, with an appealing ap-pealing tone. "And you shall!" exclaims the actrops decidedly. "Even if I have to give you a private box. That will provide for the vfholo eleven, with standing room in tho rear." And therewith sho wrote out an order, and tho little girl departed in triumph. Miss Davenport thoroughly enjoyed the delicious berries. "But it was an expensive dish. Still, I didn't regret it. For indeed it was amusing to nolo the look of horror and disgust depicted on the faces of the stylish styl-ish andienco present as they watched eleven dirty and miserably drossed doni-reus doni-reus of lower Denvor file into the first privato box. But apparently the Irish people on joyed the interest thoy excited, and vociferously applauded tho performance." perform-ance." , Annie HuncuT. |